Bouddi Spur to Maitland Bay

This walk is great following lunch at Dingeldei Picnic area. The walk explores the rock flats of Maitland Bay, with many interesting shells and the shipwreck of the S.S. Maitland. The walk provides the option to spend time at Maitland Beach on the way to the wreck. The wreck is best seen at low tide, along with the rest of the rock flats below the headland.

The Dingeldei Memorial Shelter

The Dingeldei Memorial Shelter was built in 1962, thanks to volunteers. A.W. (Bill) Dingeldei was a trustee of the park who did considerable work on it himself. Today the Dingeldei picnic area is a quiet, leafy spot, perched on the hill behind Mount Bouddi. The picnic area contains a picnic table, toilets, BBQ and rubbish facilities. It also has a new car park with ample spaces.

(0km) Dingeldei Picnic Area and Carpark → Bouddi Lookout

890 m

21 mins

38m

-74m

Moderate track

From the Mt Bouddi carpark (at the end of Mt Bouddi Rd, off Scenic Road), this walk heads past the sandstone building, following the ‘Little Beach’ sign. The walk goes down a few flights of stairs, and meanders for some time, passing some old metal fence posts, passing through another saddle, and arriving at Bouddi Lookout, on a small rocky outcrop.

Bouddi Lookout

Bouddi Lookout, Bouddi National Park, is a great first look at the Bouddi Coast as you come out of the bush on Bouddi Spur. There are views of the Pacific Ocean crashing into the heath covered headlands in front of the lookout. Not as grand a view as other lookouts in the area, but worth a pause on your way to the Bouddi Coast Track.

Hard track

Veer right: From the intersection, the walk follows the ‘Maitland Bay’ arrow along the bush track, going down the hill. After a while, the walk drops into a clearing, on the saddle between the headland and the spur, and turns right, going down some steep steps to the beach.

Maitland Beach

Maitland Beach, Bouddi National Park, is a 500m-long sandy beach sitting north west of Putty Beach. The beach’s south-westerly aspect provides views over the South Pacific Ocean to Barrenjoey and Avalon headlands at the mouth of the Hawkesbury River. A creek breaks the centre of the beach, and the wreck of S.S. Maitland (after which the beach and bay are named) is found on the eastern rock point.

(1.63km) Eastern corner of Maitland Beach → S.S. Maitland Shipwreck

310 m

7 mins

14m

-15m

Hard track

Turn left: From the intersection, this walk follows the cliff line out towards the sea, beneath the rocky headland. The walk heads over rocks and boulders, to the rock flats at the point. Here lies the S.S.Maitland shipwreck.

S.S. Maitland Shipwreck

The S.S. Maitland was a paddle steamer brought to Australia from Glasgow, Scotland, to transport people and cargo between the Hunter and the Hawkesbury Rivers. There was no rail line from Newcastle to Sydney in the 1800’s. The Maitland was on its route out of the Barrenjoey Headlands when it was overwhelmed by the aptly-named ‘Maitland Gale’. The storm which wrecked the Maitland also took numerous other ships on May 6, 1898. Of the 36 passengers aboard the Maitland, 24 lost their lives. Many of the survivors were commended for their heroism.
Wreckage of the Maitland can still be seen today, with parts of the boiler and a section of the iron hull strewn across the rock flats of the point. The bay was previously known as Boat Harbour, then renamed Maitland Bay after the disaster in 1898. More info.

Maps for the Bouddi Spur to Maitland Bay walk

You can download the PDF for this walk to print a map.These maps below cover the walk and the wider area around the walk, they are worth carrying for safety reasons.

Some more details of this walks Grading

Here is a bit more details explaining grading looking at sections of the walk

Gradient

Around 1.2km of this walk has short steep hills, whilst the remaining 700m is very steep.

Quality of track

Around 1.2km of this walk follows a formed track, with some branches and other obstacles, whilst the remaining 700m follows a rough track, where fallen trees and other obstacles are likely.

Signs

Around 1.2km of this walk has directional signs at most intersection, whilst the remaining 700m has minimal directional signs.

Experience Required

This whole walk, 1.9km requires no previous bushwalking experience.

weather

Around 1.6km of this walk is not usually affected by severe weather events (that would unexpectedly impact safety and navigation), whilst the remaining 310m is affected by storms that may impact your navigation and safety.

Infrastructure

Around 1.2km of this walk is close to useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats), whilst the remaining 700m has limited facilities (such as cliffs not fenced, significant creeks not bridged).

Similar walks

A list of walks that share part of the track with the Bouddi Spur to Maitland Bay walk.

Fire Danger

http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_fire_danger.php?walkid=nsw-bouddinp-mbts
Each park may have its own fire ban, this rating is only valid for today and is based on information from the RFS Please check the RFS Website for more information.

Weather Forest

This walk starts in the Hunter weather district always check the formal BOM forecast or pdf before starting your walk.
http://new.wildwalks.com/wildwalks_custom/includes/walk_weather_danger.php?walkid=nsw-bouddinp-mbts
Forecast snapshot